Metro Manila, Philippines – New National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Melvin Matibag told Harry Roque, a former colleague in the Duterte administration, to return to the country and face charges filed against him.
Matibag responded on Monday, Feb. 23, to Roque who said on social media that the NBI appointment was a “reward” for filing a disbarment case against the former presidential spokesperson.
Matibag filed the disbarment complaint against Roque with the Supreme Court in 2024, in particular over social media posts, including a deepfake video that showed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs.
A House hearing tackling fake news learned that Roque was among those supposedly behind the viral material, tagged the “polvoron” video, but the Duterte ally denied involvement in its creation.
“For people like him, na dapat [supposed to be] you’re a lover of the law, you should come home and face all the charges,” Matibag told Roque.
Roque is facing an arrest warrant for his qualified trafficking charge in the raided offshore gaming hub scam in Porac, Pampanga. His passport has been canceled.
Matibag also said he will not zero in with Roque, and that the agency will apply equal treatment and protect the rights of everyone.
He said his role as top investigator does not seem like a reward for the difficult job.
In March 2025, Roque sought political asylum in the Netherlands, claiming “political persecution” in congressional hearings linking him to illegal offshore gaming operations.
Roque said he was instructed to fly to Austria, the country that should be handling his application.
New NBI director
On Monday, the NBI held a turnover ceremony with Lito Magno passing on the leadership to Matibag.
“Upon assuming office, Director Matibag outlined his vision of a more responsive, disciplined, and globally coordinated NBI,” the agency said in a news release.
“He reiterated the directive to ensure the Bureau remains firm, impartial, and relentless in investigating crimes without fear or favor, while strengthening cooperation against organized crime, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other transnational threats,” it said.
Malacañang said the president saw that Matibag can be entrusted with the post.
An ombudsman applicant last year, Matibag was acting Cabinet secretary under Duterte. He was once secretary general of PDP-Laban, the former president’s political party.
